BCIFV home > Media Release > December 4, 2002

For Immediate Release: December 4, 2002
Contact: Penny Bain, phone: 604-669-7055 or 1 877-755-7055 or
pbain@bcifv.org or www.bcifv.org

Media Release: The Firearms Act: A Critical Tool for Preventing Violence .

The British Columbia Institute on Family Violence reacted today to the Auditor General's report, particularly to the chapter dealing with the costs of the registration and licensing system.

"One of the main objectives of the licensing and registration system is to ensure the safety and security of women - we must not forget this very important consideration when discussing the costs of the program," says Penny Bain, Executive Director of the BCIFV. "The screening of license applicants plays an important role in keeping guns out of the wrong hands and avoiding tragedies. It must not be compromised by cost-cutting measures. Also, licensing and registration allow police to know who has what guns. This can be critical when intervening in situations of domestic violence. The system is making a difference, one which we cannot put a price tag on, but which is very significant nonetheless."

According to the Statistics Canada report "Trends in Intimate Partner Homicide, 1974-2000," the rate of spousal homicide involving guns declined by 77% between 1974 and 2000. Though the issue is complex and it is difficult to establish a cause and effect relationship, the period in questions coincides with the tightening of gun laws.

"In British Columbia, the Coroner's inquest looking into the Vernon massacre called for further strengthening of the screening and review process for firearms licenses and the spousal notification," says Ms. Bain. "In that incident, Mark Chahal killed his estranged wife, eight members of her family, and then himself with his legally acquired gun. At least 5 other inquest results reaffirmed the importance of registering all firearms and licensing of gun owners." "

For more information, contact Penny Bain, Executive Director of the BC Institute Against Family Violence at 669-7055 or
1 877-755-7055, pbain@bcifv.org or www.bcifv.org.

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